Socarrat Paella Bar - Manhattan, NYC

Intro:

I was feeling a bit nostalgic and decided to search for a restaurant with a European aesthetic, hoping to transport myself to somewhere far away (lol). My mom's birthday was the perfect excuse to find a great spot, so I took her on a day trip to Brooklyn Botanic Garden and then treated her to dinner in Manhattan. We share a love for escapism and travel, and I was on a mission to find a restaurant that offered both a fun experience and great food. Fortunately, some participating restaurants had extended their Restaurant Week deals through the first week of September (it started at the end of July). That's when I discovered Soccarat Paella Bar in Nolita. My mom and I are both huge fans of Spanish cuisine (who isn’t?), and they also offer live flamenco performances on Tuesday nights. It was exactly what I was looking for.

(Sok-uh-raht) n. Refers to the “seductive caramelization of the bottom layer of a perfect paella when the liquid is absorbed and the rice is done.”

Location:

• Socarrat (Nolita location) is located at: 

  • 284 Mulberry Street, New York, NY

Atmosphere:

• As soon as I walked in, I already felt like I was in Spain.  Most of the restaurants/tapas bars I went to in Spain were intimate, low lit, and filled with people ready to dance and socialize.  Being there was a flamenco show later in the night, people started to flow in very rapidly and every seat ended up being filled.  They had images on a television demonstrating different scenes in Spain - particularly from Sevilla - and it was really triggering the yearning within me to be back there.  And this was essentially my goal.  I wanted to be transported to a different country in the middle of NYC, and Socarrat most definitely accomplished that.  That element enhances your dining experience to another level when the atmosphere allows you to escape from whatever reality is going on outside its doors.  It invigorates a multi-sensory experience, rather than using a monotonous form of consumption, like only taste and smell (think of a common fast-food experience).  Successfully accomplishing something like that is exactly what keeps customers coming back (a.k.a. me). 

  
  

What I Drank:

• Naturally, I had to order a pitcher of sangria (even though I was told in Spain that it’s a very touristy thing to do, and not something the locals really drink).  Regardless, I was in the mood for sangria.  I don’t necessarily lean towards sweeter drinks, even with wine, so sangria can sometimes be risky.  I prefer more bold and dry wines, so I want my sangria to not taste like I’m drinking jungle juice.  I was pleasantly surprised that the sangria meshed perfectly with my palate, we (I) ended up drinking a majority of the pitcher.  Definitely recommend!

What I Ate:

• Being it was Restaurant Week, Socarrat had its own prix fixe menu to sample. One appetizer each, one paella to share (if you’ve never had paella, one is more than enough for two people - that’s why they do 1 paella per 2 servings), and one dessert each. 

  
  

• Appetizers: Gambas al Ajillo & Croquetas (Bechamel and Spinach)

  • Shrimp was cooked nicely in a rich olive oil & garlic base. We used bread to dip into the oil

  • Could’ve done without the croquetas, the taste wasn’t necessarily my favorite 

• Entree: Paella Socarrat (chicken, chorizo, shrimp, white fish, squid, mussels, clams, fava beans, peppers, tomato sofrito)

  • When I tell you this paella was one of the best and closest to the authentic paella in Spain - believe me. The taste was so beautifully harmonious with just the right amount of salt and flavoring added.  The caramelization of the rice on the bottom gave a crisp but soft texture to the rice.  The technique of this paella is well carried out. 

    
    

• Desserts: Churros con Chocolate & Flan

  • I’m not even the biggest fan of flan and this flan was to die for. It wasn’t overly milky or sweet.  It was the perfect combination of texture and taste

  • The churros with chocolate were good, but nothing to rave about. I preferred the flan 

  
  

Service:

• The hospitality was incredible from the jump.  I had made a reservation days in advance for my mom’s birthday and they had originally sat us in the front of the restaurant where the stage wasn’t entirely visible.  Being it was my mom’s birthday and first time seeing a flamenco show, I asked if we could be moved towards the front center of the stage for her.  They were able to thankfully oblige and help, which was much appreciated.  They ended up getting us the perfect spot with a front view of the performers and my mom was very happy.  Our server was also incredibly delightful and accommodating.  She shared some input about Sevilla when she overheard me talking about it to my mom, which was so nice to hear.  I always welcome friendly conversation about travels, especially - it’s a nostalgia thing.  I had also mentioned my mom’s birthday to her and she came over during dessert with a scoop of ice cream with a candle.  She personally sang my mom “Happy Birthday,” which was super sweet and unexpected.  Overall, this place really made you feel comfortable, cared for, and fully satisfied in every way. 

Entertainment:

• With the large, wooden square stage in the middle of the floor, we anxiously awaited the performance (this was my mom’s first time seeing the dance live).  Once they all went on stage, it was hypnotic and melodious to the soul. It convinced us to stay for a total of 3 hours at the restaurant itself, just to hear & see a few moments more. Even as we were leaving, one of the guitarists/singers were kind enough to sing my mom “Happy Birthday” personally.  There was an immense feeling of camaraderie, love, and friendliness in the space and it was such a pleasure to be a part of.  Overall, the performance was absolutely incredible and captivating. All three performers were amazingly talented and truly seemed passionate about the dance/music, and even encouraged others to dance on the stage.  I have absolutely no complaints about the entertainment here, it was an amazing addition to the delicious food we had. 

  
  

  • **Note: Sevilla is the birthplace of flamenco dance, often evoking an emotional response with how deeply moving it is.  Paired with incredibly talented guitarists and vocalists, it’s a beautiful representation of Spanish heritage and culture.  I’m lucky enough to have visited Sevilla in September 2023, having seen plenty of street and professional performances of the dance for the first time.  

Cost ($$):

• $45 per person (Restaurant Week deal)

• Sangria pitcher: $48

Rating: 10/10

Whenever you get an itch to “visit Spain,” go here.  I will most definitely be a returning customer.